Footwear with expansion joint

ABSTRACT

Footwear includes a sole and an upper comprising an unlaced shaft for covering a portion of the lower leg of the wearer. The shaft includes a forward and rearward portions secured together at substantially vertically extending seams at lateral sides of the upper. An expansion joint is provided in the shaft and is adapted to expand a local circumference of the shaft at the expansion joint when the wearer&#39;s foot passes through the shaft at the expansion joint to ease putting the footwear onto the wearer&#39;s foot and removing the footwear from the wearer&#39;s foot. The illustrated expansion joint includes a substantially vertical slit located along the seam between the forward and rearward portions and an elastic material secured to an inner side of the shaft and covering the slit for preventing passage of undesirable solid materials through the slit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO APPENDIX

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the present invention generally relates to footwear and, more particularly, to footwear including a unlaced shaft for covering a portion of the wearer's leg.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Removing certain types of footwear such as, for example, cowboy boots and work boots from a wearer's foot is often difficult because of their intended snug fit. Putting such footwear on can almost as difficult. In some instances, the wearer must enlist the assistance of another individual to pull the boot from the wearer's foot. If assistance is not available, wearers often remove them by applying a downward force on the heal of the footwear with their other foot to allow the wearer to withdraw their foot from its footwear. This procedure is then repeated to remove the other foot from its footwear. While this procedure may be effective, it is often difficult because the heal area of most footwear have a very small edge or surface against which the downward pressure can be applied. Another approach to removing footwear is the use of a boot jack which is an implement having an inclined ramp or platform having a U-shaped recess or cut out at one end. The wearer inserts the heal of the footwear to be removed into the U-shaped recess and applies a downward force on the lower end of the ramp. The recess grips the heal area and the wearer can withdraw their foot as the boot jack is held in place with the wearer's other foot. While the boot jack may be helpful, it is not always effective because the boot may slip from the recess as the foot is attempted to be withdrawn. Also, the boot jack can scuff or damage the heal area of the boot. Further, a boot jack may not be available at the location the wearer wants to remove their footwear.

There have been many attempts top remedy this problem by attaching plates, straps, and other devices to footwear. While these attempts may be somewhat effective they either damage the footwear, are not very effective in removing the footwear, and/or adversely affect the appearance of the footwear. Accordingly, there is a need for improved footwear that can be more easily put on and/or taken off by the wearer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed are footwear that overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art described above. Disclosed is footwear for covering a foot and a portion of a lower leg of a wearer. The footwear comprises, in combination, a sole and an upper comprising an unlaced shaft for covering the portion of the lower leg of the wearer. An expansion joint is provided in the shaft and is adapted to expand a local circumference of the shaft at the expansion joint when the wearer's foot passes through the shaft at the expansion joint to ease putting the footwear onto the wearer's foot and removing the footwear from the wearer's foot.

Also disclosed is footwear for covering a foot and a portion of a lower leg of a wearer. The footwear comprises, in combination, a sole; and an upper comprising an unlaced shaft for covering the portion of the lower leg of the wearer. The shaft comprises a forward and rearward portions secured together at substantially vertically extending seams at lateral sides of the upper. An expansion joint is provided in the shaft and is adapted to expand a local circumference of the shaft at the expansion joint when the wearer's foot passes through the shaft at the expansion joint to ease putting the footwear onto the wearer's foot and removing the footwear from the wearer's foot. The expansion joint comprises a substantially vertical slit located along the seam between the forward and rearward portions and which is normally closed and opens in a horizontal direction to expand the circumference of the shaft when the wearer's foot passes through the shaft at the expansion joint.

Also disclosed is footwear for covering a foot and a portion of a lower leg of a wearer. The footwear comprises, in combination, a sole and an upper comprising an unlaced shaft for covering the portion of the lower leg of the wearer. The shaft comprises a forward and rearward portions secured together at substantially vertically extending seams at lateral sides of the upper. An expansion joint is provided in the shaft and is adapted to expand a local circumference of the shaft at the expansion joint when the wearer's foot passes through the shaft at the expansion joint to ease putting the footwear onto the wearer's foot and removing the footwear from the wearer's foot. The expansion joint comprises a substantially vertical slit located along the seam between the forward and rearward portions and which is normally closed and opens in a horizontal direction to expand the circumference of the shaft when the wearer's foot passes through the shaft at the expansion joint. The expansion joint comprises an elastic material secured to an inner side of the shaft and covering the seam so that the seam is resiliently expandable at the expansion joint. The expansion joint is located at an inner lateral side of the shaft and near a bottom of the shaft.

From the foregoing disclosure and the following more detailed description of various preferred embodiments it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention provides a significant advance in the technology and art of footwear. Particularly significant in this regard is the potential the invention affords for easing insertion and removal of the wearers foot into the footwear. Additional features and advantages of various preferred embodiments will be better understood in view of the detailed description provided below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and further features of the present invention will be apparent with reference to the following description and drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of footwear having an expansion joint according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a enlarged, fragmented elevational view of an inner side of the expansion joint of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is cross section view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmented view of an outer side of the expansion joint of FIG. 1 when the expansion joint is expanded.

It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various preferred features illustrative of the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the footwear as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes of the various components, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment. Certain features of the illustrated embodiments have been enlarged or distorted relative to others to facilitate visualization and clear understanding. In particular, thin features may be thickened, for example, for clarity or illustration. All references to direction and position, unless otherwise indicated, refer to the orientation of the footwear illustrated in the drawings. In general, up or upward generally refers to an upward direction within the plane of the paper in FIG. 1 and down or downward generally refers to a downward direction within the plane of the paper in FIG. 1. Also in general, front or forward generally refers to a direction toward the left within the plane of the paper in FIG. 1 and rear or rearward generally refers to a direction toward the right within the plain of the paper in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, to those who have knowledge or experience in this area of technology, that many uses and design variations are possible for the footwear disclosed herein. The following detailed discussion of various alternative and preferred embodiments will illustrate the general principles of the invention with regard to a roper-style boot. Other embodiments of the present invention suitable for other applications will be apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure. For example, the present invention is suitable for other types of footwear such as, for example, western-style boots, work boots, and the like.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 to 4 show a boot 10 having an expansion joint 12 according to the present invention to ease putting the boot 10 on the wearer's foot and/or removing the boot 10 from the wearer's foot. The illustrated boot 10 is adapted for use on a right foot but it is noted that a similar but mirror image boot adapted for the left foot is used in conjunction with the illustrated boot 10 for form a pair of the boots 10. The illustrated boot 10 includes a sole 14 having a heal 16 at its rearward end to form the bottom of the boot 10 and an upper or quarter 18 extending upward from the sole 14 to cover the wearer's foot and a portion of their lower leg. The illustrated upper 18 includes a vamp 20 which covers the top and front portion of the wearer's foot, a counter 22 that encloses the heal and rear portion of the wearer's foot and is secured to the rear end of the vamp 20, and a shaft 24 which fits around the lower shin of the wearer and is secured to the top of the vamp and counter 20, 22. The illustrated upper 18 is secured to the sole 14 with a welted construction where the upper 18 is stitched to the sole 14 using a welt 26. The welt 26 is a strip of leather or synthetic material which extends about the periphery of the upper 18 at the interface with the sole 14. The vamp and counter 20, 22 are stitched to the welt 26 and the welt 26 is in turn stitched to the sole 14. It is noted that upper 18 can alternatively be secured to the sole 14 using any other suitable construction such as, for example, a cemented construction where the upper 18 is glued to the sole 14 with adhesive.

The illustrated sole 14 includes an outsole 28 forming an exterior bottom surface for the sole 14, insole (not visible) located above the outsole 28 and forming an upper interior surface of the sole 14, a midsole located between the outsole 28 and the insole, and a shank (not visible) forming an arch support within the sole 14. The outsole 28 is the outermost portion of the sole 14 of the boot 10 and forms the bottom surface of which is exposed to wear. The illustrated outsole 28 is molded of synthetic material but can alternatively can comprise any other suitable material such as, for example, leather and the like. The insole can be attached directly to the boot upper 18 and welt 26 or it can be removable and/or replaceable. The insole can form the upper most surface on the inside of the bottom of the boot or it can be covered with a sock lining of suitable material. The midsole 30 is located between the outsole 28 and the insole. The illustrated midsole 30 is molded of synthetic material but can alternatively can comprise any other suitable material. The midsole 30 is designed to provide the boot 10 with desired characteristics of cushioning, support, and flexibility. The shank forms the arch support which supports the arch of the wearer's food and can comprise steel, fiber, wood, and/or plastic. It is noted that the sole 14 can alternatively have any other suitable construction within the scope of the present invention.

The illustrated upper 18 includes the vamp 20, the counter 22, and the shaft 24. The illustrated shaft 24 comprises forward and rearward portions 24 a, 24 b that together form a cylindrical shape that encircles the lower portion of the wearer's leg. The shaft 24 also has an upper edge which forms an upper opening through which the wearer's foot enters the boot 10. The illustrated shaft 24 includes pull tabs or loops 31 located near the upper edge on opposed lateral sides of the shaft 24 which allow for ease in pulling on the boot 10 by putting fingers through the tabs 31. Alternatively, pull hole, “mule ears”, and the like can alternatively be utilized. The illustrated vamp 20 and shaft 24 are continuous in that they are “unlaced”. That is, they are not provided with any type openings which are selectively closed by fasteners such as laces, zippers, buttons, hooks and the like to tighten the vamp 20 and/or shaft 24 to secure the footwear to the users The illustrated components 20, 22, 24 of the upper 18 comprise leather such as, for example, cowhide, pigskin, horsehide, kangaroo skin, and the like but any other suitable material can alternatively be utilized such as, for example exotic leathers or skins, synthetic materials, and the like.

The illustrated components 20, 22, 24 of the upper 18 are secured together by stitching but any other suitable means can alternatively be utilized. The illustrated vamp and counter 20, 22 are secured together at substantially vertical stitched seams 32 on opposed lateral sides of the upper 18. The illustrated portions 24 a, 24 b of the shaft 24 are secured together at substantially vertical stitched seams 34 on opposed lateral sides of the upper 18 which are aligned with the seams 32 of the vamp 20 and counter 22 such that they appear to be vertical extensions thereof. The illustrated shaft 24 is secured to the vamp and counter 20, 22 with generally horizontal stitched seams 36 at the interfaces. The illustrated seams are provided with seem binder 38 located on the interior side of the seams 32, 34, 36. The seam binder 36 can be of any suitable material to rigidly connect the components to prevent relative movement therebetween. It is noted that the upper 18 can also comprise a lining within its interior. The lining typically comprises pigskin, glove leathers, a heavy twilled cotton or linen fabric, and the like. Additionally, the lining can comprise synthetics such as, for example, Gortex, Sympatex, and the like to provide waterproof and/or sweat dissipating characteristics to the boot 10.

The illustrated expansion joint 12 comprises a substantially vertical slit 40 in the shaft 24 of the upper 18 that is spaced below the upper edge of the shaft 24 and located near the bottom of the shaft 24 so that shaft circumference at lower end of the shaft 24 can expand as needed as the wearer's foot passes therethrough so that the wearer's foot more easily passes through. Ordinarily the slit 40 is closed (as best shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) but the slit 40 opens in the horizontal direction (best shown in FIG. 4) to expand the circumference of the shaft 24 when the wearer's fit is passing through and pressures the shaft 24 forwardly and/or rearwardly the slit 40. The slit 40 preferably has a length of about 1.5 inch to about 3.5 inches and more preferably has a length of about 2.5 inches. The illustrated boot 10 has a single slit 40 located at the inner lateral side of the boot 10, centrally located on the shaft 24 in the forward/rearward direction, and located at the bottom edge of the shaft so that it is located near the wearer's ankle when the boot 10 is worn. It is noted however, that alternatively there can be other suitable quantities of the slit 40 and/or the slit 40 can be at other suitable locations.

The illustrated expansion joint 12 further includes a closure 42 that closes the slit 40 to prevent entry of undesired material therethrough regardless of whether the slit 40 is open or closed. The illustrated closure 42 comprises a web of fabric material secured to the inside of the shaft 24 and covering the slit 40. The illustrated fabric material is an elastic material such that the fabric material stretches or expands as the slit expands and then resiliently returns as the slit 40 closes. It is noted however, that any other suitable material and/or suitable configuration of material can alternatively be utilized. The illustrated closure 42 is secured to the shaft 24 by two rows of stitching 44 that extend along the entire periphery of the closure 42 but any other suitable attaching means can alternatively be utilized such as, for example, adhesive, and the like.

The illustrated expansion joint 12 is a “stretch seam” located along the seam between the forward and rearward portions 24 a, 24 b of the shaft 24. That is, the illustrated slit 40 is formed by not securing a portion of the shaft portions 24 a, 24 b together as they are otherwise rigidly secured together. At the slit 40, the seem binder 38 of the seams 32, 34 is interrupted and replaced with the closure 42. Thus, the seem can stretch open at the slit 40 when the wearer's foot is passing therethrough. It is noted that by utilizing such a stretch seam, the expansion joint is unnoticeable during normal wearing except for the different stitching 44 at the expansion joint. Also, the expansion joint 12 is further hidden by locating the expansion joint 12 at the inner side of the boot 10.

Any of the features or attributes of the above the above described embodiments and variations can be used in combination with any of the other features and attributes of the above described embodiments and variations as desired.

It is apparent from the forgoing disclosure and detailed description that the present invention is effective to ease putting on and/or removing the boot 10 from the user's foot, does not cause damage to the boot 10, and does not adversely affect the appearance and/or cost of the boot 10.

From the foregoing disclosure and detailed description of certain preferred embodiments, it is also apparent that various modifications, additions and other alternative embodiments are possible without departing from the true scope and spirit of the present invention. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the present invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the present invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the benefit to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled. 

1. Footwear for covering a foot and a portion of a lower leg of a wearer, said footwear comprising, in combination: a sole; an upper comprising an unlaced shaft for covering the portion of the lower leg of the wearer; and an expansion joint provided in the shaft and adapted to expand a local circumference of the shaft at the expansion joint when the wearer's foot passes through the shaft at the expansion joint to ease putting the footwear onto the wearer's foot and removing the footwear from the wearer's foot.
 2. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the expansion joint is located near the bottom of the shaft.
 3. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the expansion joint is located below and spaced apart from an upper edge of the shaft.
 4. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the expansion joint comprises a substantially vertical slit which is normally closed and opens in a horizontal direction to expand the circumference of the shaft when the wearer's foot passes through the shaft at the expansion joint.
 5. The footwear according to claim 4, wherein the slit is covered by a closure for preventing passage of undesirable solid materials through the slit.
 6. The footwear according to claim 5, wherein the closure comprises a web of material secured to the shaft and covering the slit.
 7. The footwear according to claim 6, wherein the material comprises and elastic material.
 8. The footwear according to claim 5, wherein the closure comprises an elastic fabric material secured to an inner side of the shaft and covering the slit.
 9. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the expansion joint is located at an inner lateral side of the shaft and near a bottom of the shaft.
 10. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein there is only one expansion joint provided in the shaft.
 11. Footwear for covering a foot and a portion of a lower leg of a wearer, said footwear comprising, in combination: a sole; an upper comprising an unlaced shaft for covering the portion of the lower leg of the wearer; wherein the shaft comprises a forward and rearward portions secured together at substantially vertically extending seams at lateral sides of the upper; an expansion joint provided in the shaft and adapted to expand a local circumference of the shaft at the expansion joint when the wearer's foot passes through the shaft at the expansion joint to ease putting the footwear onto the wearer's foot and removing the footwear from the wearer's foot; and wherein the expansion joint comprises a substantially vertical slit located along the seam between the forward and rearward portions and which is normally closed and opens in a horizontal direction to expand the circumference of the shaft when the wearer's foot passes through the shaft at the expansion joint.
 12. The footwear according to claim 11, wherein the expansion joint is located near the bottom of the shaft.
 13. The footwear according to claim 11, wherein the expansion joint is located below and spaced apart from an upper edge of the shaft.
 14. The footwear according to claim 11, wherein the slit is covered by a closure for preventing passage of undesirable solid materials through the slit.
 15. The footwear according to claim 14, wherein the closure comprises a web of material secured to the shaft and covering the slit.
 16. The footwear according to claim 15, wherein the material comprises an elastic material.
 17. The footwear according to claim 14, wherein the closure comprises an elastic fabric material secured to an inner side of the shaft and covering the slit.
 18. The footwear according to claim 11, wherein the expansion joint is located at an inner lateral side of the shaft and near a bottom of the shaft.
 19. The footwear according to claim 11, wherein there is only one expansion joint provided in the shaft.
 20. Footwear for covering a foot and a portion of a lower leg of a wearer, said footwear comprising, in combination: a sole; an upper comprising an unlaced shaft for covering the portion of the lower leg of the wearer; wherein the shaft comprises a forward and rearward portions secured together at substantially vertically extending seams at lateral sides of the upper; an expansion joint provided in the shaft and adapted to expand a local circumference of the shaft at the expansion joint when the wearer's foot passes through the shaft at the expansion joint to ease putting the footwear onto the wearer's foot and removing the footwear from the wearer's foot; wherein the expansion joint is located along the seam between the forward and rearward portions and which is normally closed and opens in a horizontal direction to expand the circumference of the shaft when the wearer's foot passes through the shaft at the expansion joint; wherein the expansion joint is located at an inner lateral side of the shaft and near a bottom of the shaft; and wherein the expansion joint comprises an elastic material secured to an inner side of the shaft and covering the seam so that the seam is resiliently expandable at the expansion joint. 